Martinez bus stops to get benches, sidewalks

MARTINEZ -- Eight bus stops in Martinez will get new benches and other upgrades as part of a collaboration between the city and County Connection.

In addition to the benches, the project includes putting in sidewalks, curbs and trash cans to make the bus stops accessible to wheelchairs, and safer and more comfortable for passengers.

County Connection is contributing $67,000 in bridge toll funds earmarked for capital improvements, and the city will use $27,000 in gas tax revenue to pay for the improvements.

Some of the transit agency's oldest infrastructure is in Martinez and many of the bus stops weren't compliant with the Americans with Disabilities Act, according to Mary Burdick, County Connection spokeswoman.

"We did a study on bus stop improvements that we use as a tool," she added. "Now we have this list of bus stops where we would like to see improvements."

Several of the eight bus stops are top priorities for Martinez, according to Tim Tucker, city engineer. The stop on Howe Road near Old Orchard Road is just a patch of gravel that gets muddy during the winter months, making it impossible for wheelchairs to navigate and difficult for everyone else, Tucker said.

The bus stop at Alhambra Avenue and Franklin Canyon Road, at the park-and-ride lot, needs sidewalk and ADA pathways between parking stalls, he added.

Construction is scheduled to begin in December and the work should take about two months, Tucker said.